Medical Assistant Salary in Tennessee: $42,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $42,984/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,824 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($44,620), Franklin ($44,083), Murfreesboro ($43,829).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in Tennessee is projected to be $42,984, which is 10.4% lower than the national median of $47,961. Nashville leads the state with the highest salary at $46,838, while Tullahoma has the lowest, with salaries averaging $36,748, reflecting a gap of $10,090. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of larger healthcare institutions in urban centers. Tennessee's medical assistants operate under specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which influence their responsibilities and potential salary levels. The growing demand for healthcare services in Tennessee is reflected in the projected job market growth rate of 4.97%, indicating a steady increase in employment opportunities. Additionally, major cities like Franklin, with an average salary of $46,274, and Murfreesboro, at $46,007, demonstrate that urban areas generally provide better compensation compared to rural locations. This stronger job market is driven by an aging population and increased healthcare needs, suggesting a positive outlook for those pursuing a career in this field across the state.
Tennessee Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $29,902 (lowest entry-level) to $60,507 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee medical assistants earn 10.38% less than the national median ($-4,977/year difference).
Tennessee Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Tennessee range from $36,785 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $51,128 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,984. The Tennessee median is $4,977 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $20.66/hr. Approximately 17,512 medical assistants are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,567
2025 BLS Actual
$40,949
2026 Current Est.
$42,984
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,567 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,981 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,175 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,874 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,138 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 25.7% from $32,567 (2019) to $40,949 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,553 (38.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $36,748 |
| Sevierville | $37,550 |
| Maryville | $37,767 |
| Cookeville | $37,791 |
| La Vergne | $37,985 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $46,274 | 91.8 | $50,407 |
| Murfreesboro | $46,007 | 91.8 | $50,117 |
| Nashville | $46,838 | 96.338 | $48,618 |
| Kingsport | $39,931 | 86.447 | $46,191 |
| Chattanooga | $42,156 | 91.464 | $46,090 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,785 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,984 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $51,128 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $46,838 |
| 2 | Franklin | $46,274 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $46,007 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $42,156 |
| 5 | Memphis | $41,211 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $40,812 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $40,202 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $40,001 |
| 9 | Kingsport | $39,931 |
| 10 | Collierville | $39,862 |
| 11 | Johnson City | $39,616 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $39,557 |
| 13 | Clarksville | $39,248 |
| 14 | Jackson | $39,133 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $39,026 |
| 16 | Oak Ridge | $39,023 |
| 17 | Cleveland | $39,017 |
| 18 | Columbia | $38,760 |
| 19 | Germantown | $38,711 |
| 20 | Hendersonville | $38,633 |
| 21 | Morristown | $38,587 |
| 22 | Gallatin | $38,566 |
| 23 | Brentwood | $38,365 |
| 24 | Shelbyville | $38,067 |
| 25 | Mount Juliet | $38,066 |
| 26 | La Vergne | $37,985 |
| 27 | Cookeville | $37,791 |
| 28 | Maryville | $37,767 |
| 29 | Sevierville | $37,550 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $36,748 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Tennessee?
How many medical assistants are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov